Hot £50million target Virgil van Dijk will have his pick of at least three of the Premier League’s top six clubs, after his advisors spoke with Arsenal and Liverpool last week.

With Manchester City also firmly in the hunt, Southampton’s 25-year-old centre-half and captain seems certain to be able to choose between the Etihad Stadium, the Emirates or Anfield once the season is over.

Rival bosses Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp all want the commanding Dutchman to bolster their defensive options for next season.

Although it seems Van Dijk’s first choice may be to team up with Guardiola, City’s Spanish super-coach also has Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci and Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao also on his radar.